#paschal triduum

[mothioso]

It’s been a time honored tradition in our family that we tend to play Jesus Christ Superstar at least on Easter Day when driving to our family celebration, or else we tend to try and watch it together in the days leading up to Easter. This year it was on repeat for the entirety of Holy Week.

The production is, naturally, controversial amongst Christians, but in our years of struggle and doubt, it was nevertheless the hand that continually pointed North. Even when cynicism and ennui were doggedly biting at our ankles, JCS remained inspiring, deeply touching, and existed as a constant reminder of where we wanted to be in our faith—a sort of promised land of authenticity and sincerity—even when we were lost wandering in the desert.

The last time my husband did a recording of one of the songs from the album (Heaven On Their Minds), I remember thinking I’d never known he could sing that well. And I have always known he was an incredibly gifted singer. This went above and beyond anything I’d ever heard from him before, both in technical ability and in passion.

It was hard to imagine he could have topped that, but I genuinely think this year’s choice is the best singing he’s ever done in his life. Something that would have felt impossible only a mere year or two ago.

I think it comes down to the authenticity and sincerity in a year where the Lenten season—and Holy Week more specifically—have proven deeply transformative.

Meditating deeply on the Passion throughout the week is not a joyous undertaking, and the solemnity of the season was indeed heavy on our hearts.

But today Christ Is Risen. Today is for rejoicing in His return!

So where Gethsemane is one of the most painful chapters of the story of the Passion, if not for Christ’s physical suffering then for his isolation and deep anguish in contemplation of what was to come, today comes the defeat of sin. The defeat of death. The triumph of our Lord and Savior, risen from the tomb on the third day. Hallelujah!

In that spirit, I wanted to share my husband’s take on Gethsemane, which he recorded on Maundy Thursday as part of our vigil for Good Friday. Perhaps the hardest song in the entire musical to sing, not only for how it is written, but also for what it is.

I hope you enjoy ❤️‍🔥

Happy Easter! He is Risen! ✝️

[catholic-saint-tournament]

Bonus Poll: Best Liturgical Season

Ordinary Time

Lent

Advent

Easter

Christmas

Paschal Triduum

Voting ended onJun 22, 2023

If you want to know more about what these mean, click here.

[iloveyoutoinfinity]

At this time, I prayed with such anguish. I begged for another way. There wasn’t. I accepted My fate.

Don’t be upset. Don’t be afraid.

[boriking]

“Why do you seek the Living One among the dead? He is not here but He has been raised.”

- Luke 24

[littlerani]

On this day and night, Passover came, and Jesus had the Last Supper with His disciples. I was there, via timeline when I was little, and was just starting out as the new Sorceress, before my very first mission in Notre Dame in the late 15th century France. That Holy Thursday night, I remember feeling so terrified for Jesus, and the fate that would befall Him. Also that night, a portion of my premonition, and His, came true. A bond formed between Christ and myself that night. @iloveyoutoinfinity

[inspiredbyjesuslove]

[burning-lampstand]

Some images for meditation for the Paschal Triduum

These are watercolor paintings of the betrayal, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus Christ by French painter John Jacques Tissot.

[theraccolta]

Depictions of the Crucifixion, the Resurrection and the Descent into Hell are combined in the initials of the abbreviated Latin inscription I(esus) H(ominum) S(alvator) (Jesus Saviour of Mankind), the emblem of the Franciscans.  The Crucifixion is represented in the first two letters. In the letter S are depicted two successive scenes with the Risen Christ: The Anastasis, the Byzantine version of the Descent into Hell with the raising of the dead and the Western version of the Resurrection with Christ triumphant rising from the tomb. At the bottom on a black band with gold lettering, the Parakletike (Intercessionary) troparion, which is read at the early morning service on a Sunday, is inscribed. Laboratory examination of the icon showed that the troparion and the name of the artist were added later, but they are identical to the initial incriptions. The composition, unknown in either Byzantine or Western iconography, must be a creation of the Cretan artist Andreas Ritzos.  This unique and original subject of the I H S is one of the most important examples of Italo-Cretan painting and shows the artist's familiarity with Western painting, as a result of the conditions prevailing in Venetian-ruled Crete in the 15th century.   The icon is, possibly, the one mentioned in 1611 in the will of the noble Andreas Kornaros, who was a member of an old Veneto-Cretan family and a prominent scholar.